As part of the activities marking Social Work Week 2023, four Social Work Students from The University of The West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Anguilla were paired with Supervisors at the Department of Social Development on Wednesday 22nd March, 2023.
The “Day in the Life of a Social Worker” initiative is part of the continuing partnership between The UWI Open Campus Anguilla and the Department of Social Development.
Jackie Harrigan, Janet Morancie, Kayla Hodge-Rogers and Amelia Olivaccé spent the day working with Supervisors Rodwell Grant of the Child Maintenance Unit, Clive F. Smith of the Older Persons and Disability Unit and Angelina Carty of the Family and Social Services Unit.
Social Work Day is observed around the world on the third Tuesday of March each year, as a time to recognise and celebrate the important contributions of Social Workers. On Anguilla the Week is dedicated to a variety of outreach and appreciation activities, including the mentoring of Social Work Students and Staff development.
Commissioner of Social Development, Ms. Lauraine Gumbs says that the Department is pleased to continue the annual collaboration with The UWI in support of Social Work Students.
“There is an increasing need for Social Workers on Anguilla and it is important to expose these Students to the range of services that we provide,” she noted.
Manager of the British Overseas Territories Open Campus Sites, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks has expressed appreciation to Commissioner Gumbs and her Team.
“The collaboration with the Department of Social Development is critical, as in addition to their standard Practicum Assignments, it provides our students with other opportunities to put theory into practice,” she said.
The students, who are at different stages in their studies, have also expressed their gratitude to the Commissioner and her Team for the timely and unique experience.
As part of the annual collaboration, The UWI Open Campus Anguilla also continues to support the Department’s Foster Care and Disability Programmes with contributions collected during the annual International Women’s Day Service.
The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years.
2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary.
